Carinity Education Gladstone continues to provide new opportunities for students to excel in the fields of hospitality and food preparation.
Our new commercial kitchen for hospitality training, a vital ingredient in students’ vocational learning, is part of a $3.2 million upgrade of the school campus.
Previously, students undertaking certificate courses in hospitality had to travel the three-hour round trip to Rockhampton to complete their assessment.
Hospitality students are being guided by cook Ryan King, a Northern Ireland expatriate who has worked in hospitality throughout Europe, south-east Asia and Australia.
He says the new school kitchen, featuring a walk-in fridge/freezer, stainless steel benches, modern equipment and ovens common in most commercial kitchens, will give students “a real head-start with their future career”.
“Having a working commercial kitchen enables students to experience working in the industry, giving them the confidence, knowledge and skills needed to pursue a career in hospitality,” Ryan explains.
“The students can gain first-hand skills using modern cooking equipment commonly used in the workplace such as cafés, hotels, resorts and fast-food outlets.
“It’s an awesome opportunity to get hands-on experience using industry-standard equipment, plus it makes cooking for school a lot more enjoyable.”
School Principal Jane Greenland says student engagement has increased since the introduction of the new commercial kitchen.
“Students can prepare, cook and serve a variety of meals for students, staff and other visitors to the school, and see how the theory components relate to real life situations,” Jane says.
“This inspires them to do their best whilst in the kitchen.”